"I don't care if Ned Flanders is the nicest guy in the world. He's a jerk -- end of story." --Homer Simpson

Monday, July 25, 2005

Calling all lawyers...

After three grueling years in law school, my beloved wife Maude is taking the bar in less than twenty-four hours. Since attorneys make up roughly 85% of the bloggernacle, I was hoping to solicit any last-minute advice you could give her.

Please note that any advice given becomes property of Ned Flanders, Inc., and donors will not be monetarily compensated.

Go to bed early. Do some sort of exercise in the morning. Don't listen to what anyone has to say either before, during, or after the tests. Don't study other than to review general outlines to make sure you are remembering the big picture -- categories of issues rather than details.

And if you haven't figured out the rule against perpetuities, or mastered future interests, don't worry about it now.

I agree with anonymous, but there are things you can do to cut down on the stress level before taking the bar.

First, get all the things you need to have in order to get into the testing center and take the exam all in one place. Maybe you want to print out a checklist of all the items (ID, sack lunch and snacks, entrance ticket, directions to room, etc.), just to make sure you are not forgetting anything important.

Second, do not quiz yourself with multistate questions the night before and say "if I get this one right, I know I've studied enough and I will pass". Invariably, you'll miss one or two of the more arcane property questions and then start freaking out that you haven't studied enough. Relax. If you've taken Barbri (or its equivalent) and studied a few hours every day (and paid even the slightest attention in law school), you will have studied enough.

Third - some rambling advice: make sure you know EXACTLY how to get to the testing center, and arrange alternative forms of transportation in case your car won't start, you get in an accident on your way to the exam (this actually happened to one of my friends!), or the subway breaks down.

I was stuck in a bit of traffic on my way to the exam, and worrying about whether or not I was going to be late for the test was not a good way to start the day.

Also, bring food, drinks, etc. if allowed. Depending on how many people are taking the exam with you, you don't want to wait in line for lunch or to get a drink of water (or use the bathroom, but that's a different story).

And try to not psych yourself out the night after you take the first day of the exam. Don't focus on the questions you skipped or guessed, just focus on the fact that after the next day, you'll be finished with the test and can start leading a normal life again.

I can't think of anything else at the moment. Just make sure you take care of things under your control (remember admission ticket, wear comfortable clothes, etc.), and remember that you've studied all that you possibly can for this test, and no matter what happens, you will have put forth your best effort and tried your very hardest. That's a comforting feeling in and of itself. Also, look at all the losers who pass the bar exam and call themselves lawyers! If they can pass it, so can you.